With China gearing up for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, head coach Branko Ivankovic is using his side's training camp as an opportunity to evaluate his new selections.
BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese national football team head coach Branko Ivankovic said the current training camp will help him gauge the new players he has called up.
Several fresh faces, including naturalized player Hou Yongyong, who features in Norway's second-tier league, made their debuts at the training camp in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, as the team prepares for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
"We've called up more players this time, including some young players. I wish to have a better understanding of them through this training camp," the Croatian coach said.
"Now we can observe these players up close to see how they perform at the national team training sessions. Then we can decide how to use them next."
Hou caught Ivankovic's attention after finishing as top scorer in Norway's second-division league during the 2024 season.
"I watched some videos about him, and I have been keen to watch his performances in person. We need to know more about his special qualities as a striker in hopes of using him in the future," Ivankovic added.
China currently sits at the bottom of Group C with six points - level with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain - and will play away to Saudi Arabia in March. ■